2023 best holiday gifts for adults under $15

64 cool gifts under $15 for adults, and they don’t feel like stocking stuffers.

 

While we do love shopping, we definitely adhere to the school of “it’s the thought that counts” above all. And just because you’re looking to spend $15 or less — or even nothing at all — on a holiday gift for someone you care about, doesn’t mean it can’t be something awesome. So in 2023, we’ve found a whopping 60 gifts under $15 that we think are pretty darn great at any price.

See also:
Our complete holiday gift guide
DIY holiday gifts that the kids can make
50+ cool gifts for kids under $15 

Whether you need a small gift for teachers, coaches, your hair cutter, the class parent, your neighbors, or anyone at all, we hope they help make the season both bright and affordable. And while we have the big stores covered, plenty of these gift ideas support small makers and indie shops who can always use our support.

All gifts have been editorially determined by our staff, there is no compensation in exchange for picks.This post contains affiliate links and some purchases help support us at no additional cost to you, so thank you! Prices are subject to change but we try to keep them accurate as possible!

peace on earth holiday candle in balsam and cedar: The perfect gift under $15 for anyone on your list

Peace on Earth Balsam and Cedar Candle

The thought that counts the most this year. The candle is just a bonus.

$12, Nordstrom

Gold Reindeer Print at Goodnight Owl Designs : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Gold Reindeer Print

Such a pretty print they can put out each year around the holidays. (Note the print linked is a bit different than the one shown here)

$10, Itsy Berry

Grow your own cocktail kit: gifts under $15 for adults

Grow Your Own Cocktail Kit

It’s healthy! It’s got fresh herbs!

$12, Uncommon Goods

Personalized Vintage Spoons at Sweet Mint Handmade : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Personalized Ice Cream Spoons

Jar of favorite ice cream topping optional — but recommended. Also works with cocoa.

$12.99+, Le Breux

Schitt's Creek Love That Journey game from Funko games | best gifts under $15

Schitt’s Creek “Love That Journey” Game

Love that Love That Journey for you.

$5 on sale, Amazon

Ravensburger Echoes Audio Game Mysteries | Gifts for adults under $15

Ravensburger Audio Mystery Game

Super cool (and affordable) gift under $15: Solve this highly immersive mystery on your own or with a group.

$9.99, Amazon

Princess Leia READ socks: cool gifts under $15

Princess Leia READ Socks

It’s our only hope.

$12, Out of Print

California Succulents Gift Box subscription: Best gifts under $15 for adults

Succulents Box Gift Subscription

Psst… teens will love it too. Get discounts for longer subscriptions.

$10.50/mo,Cratejoy

Personalized ring dish with lots of icons and styles | best gifts under $15

Personalized Ring Dish

Lots of styles, colors, and icons available

$13.75, Willow Lane Collective

Vision Wristbands at Human Rights Campaign Shop : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Vision Wristbands

Really cool looking gender-neutral bracelets for a most outstanding cause.

$9.99, Human Rights Campaign Shop

Men's Rolled-Cuff Beanie at Old Navy : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Men’s and Women’s Beanie

The gift of warm ears. Various styles available.

$8.00+ on sale, Old Navy

Single-Serve Smoothie Blender at Target : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Single-Serve Smoothie Blender

We use ours all the time! Mmm…fresh smoothies. Amazing gift now under $20. (Sorry, price just went up!)

$18-20, Amazon

Palais de Thes 2023 holiday tea set : best gifts under $15

Palais de Thés Holiday Tea Set

Ooh… fancy! (Price just increased a wee bit, but worth it)

$17, Nordstrom

Personalized tea-towel: Amazing gifts under $15

Personalized Monogrammed Tea Towel

Use it to wrap up a batch of your favorite Christmas cookies and you’ve got a very thoughtful gift.

$10.45, Designs by DawnLynn

Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams | gift the audiobook for under $6

The Wingmen Audio Book

Adam Lazarus’s book about the unlikely friendship between John Glenn and Ted Williams. (Great grandparent gift!)

$5.95, Audible

Gifts under $10: Holiday stud earrings homemade by Farah Brigante of Naaz Designs

Holiday Stud Earrings

Absolutely adorable gift under $15 for adults — or kids — from prolific indie jewelry designer and art director, Farah Brigante.

$10, Naaz Designs

Pink Sugar beauty box is Black-owned and comes with 5 full size items each month | gifts under $15

Pink Sugar Beauty Box

This Black-owned beauty subscription box comes with 5 full-size items each month. And use code HALFOFF for 50% off 3 mo+ subscriptions for a limited time!

$15/mo and up, Cratejoy 

Crosley Alarm Clock : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Crosley Alarm Clock

We love the idea of an old fashioned alarm waking us up as a contrast to all the digital ringing from our phones.

$14.88, Amazon

Lenox Mercury Glass Holiday Votives : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Lenox Glass Holiday Votives

Pop in a tiny tea light and a good wish for a peaceful, warm new year.

$9.25-13.55, Amazon

I read banned books keychain: Cool gifts under $15 | 2023 holiday gift guide

I Read Banned Books Keychain

The statement of the year. Sigh.

$9, Michelle Mach on Etsy

National Park Patches 1000-piece adult puzzle : Gifts under $15

National Parks Patches 1000-Piece Puzzle

Perfect way to pass a snowy day (if you can’t get to the actual park). PS see this cool coffee press supporting the NPS.

$11.95 on sale, Amazon

Gifts under $15: Christmas embroidery hoop ornaments from Hundred Acre Design Co

Handmade Embroidery Hoop Art Christmas Ornaments

Check the shop for so many more adorable gifts for adults under $15

$8.99, Hundred Acre Design Co

Dumbells on sale: Best gifts under $15

Colorful Dumbbells

At this price, you can get two of lower weights for under $15.

$4.99/ea and up, Target

Best gifts under $15 for adults: Swiss Eagle Multi-Tool Army Knife

Multi-Tool Classic Army Knife

Terrific price for a must-have for any prepared scout.

$14.99+ on sale, Amazon

Dreidel mosaic tea towel for Hanukkah: Holiday gifts under $15 for adults

Mosaic Dreidel Hanukkah Tea Towel

Get ready for spills — those games of dreidel can get rowdy!

$10, Modern Tribe

Hot Chocolate Mix with a Hint of Mint at Penzey's Spices : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Hot Chocolate Mix with a Hint of Mint

We love this wonderful little spice company with a big heart that’s a favorite of serious cooks everywhere. Lots of great spices to choose from, but the mint hot chocolate mix is so seasonally perfect.

$6.79+, Penzey’s Spices

Gifts under $15 for adults: Black Beard Brigade beard comb for men

Engraved Wooden Beard Comb

Precision-cut natural sandalwood to keep him looking sharp.

$9, Black Beard Brigade (Yulaw Naturals on Amazon)

Dirty word Christmas ornament (see it?) : Cool gift under $15 from Pew Pew Lasercraft

“Dirty Word” Snowflake Ornament

See it now? (God, we love this shop.)

$14, Pew Pew Lasercraft

Love You pillow sham: Best holiday gifts under $15

Love You Pillow Cover

Who wouldn’t want to fall asleep with this all year long.

$10, Wicked Monkey Workshop

Best gifts under $15: Andy Warhol banana art reusable tote

Andy Warhol Banana Modern Art Tote

Fun gift idea from Galison for any fan of modern art. Or the Velvet Underground and Nico, should you want to get the CD to match.

$14.99, Target

Personalized photo frame Christmas ornament: Best gifts under $15

Custom Instax Frame Photo Ornament

It’s a best-seller on Etsy for a good reason.

$12, Daniellagonsa

 

Set of Holiday Cookie Cutters at Williams-Sonoma : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Set of Holiday Cookie Cutters

Wrap them with a big red bow and include some pretty sanding sugar for a thoughtful gift for a baker.

$12.95, Williams-Sonoma

Best gifts under !5: Hand-in-Hand's sustainable sugar body scrub that gives back

Sustainable Body Scrub That Gives Back

We’re long time fans of this company, offering so many wonderful lotions, soaps, and this amazing sugar scrub that all give back

$9.36+, Hand in Hand Soap

Magnetic Chess Game : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Magnetic Travel Chess Game

So you can checkmate on the go.

$14.81 on sale, Amazon

Pinhole Press Itty Bitty photo book

Tiny Custom Photo Book

Small book, huge impact.
Also, be sure to see our comparison of our 9 favorite custom photo book services.

$14.99, Pinhole Press

Best gifts for adults under $15: Afrocentric earrings from Anegra Beauty, lots of styles!

Handmade Afrocentric Earrings

So many amazing styles from this popular PA-based Etsy artist.

$9.99+, Anegra Beauty

Primula Stovetop Espresso Maker : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Classic Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker

Just add a grinder and a couple of cups.

$5.89 on sale, Target

Holiday gifts under $15: Emily Taylor for George & Viv holiday soaps

Emily Taylor for George & Viv Holiday Soaps

They’re already gift wrapped and everything!

$14, Anthropologie

K-Beauty Monthly Subscription Box: Great gifts under $15

K-Beauty Monthly Subscription Box

Ooh, yes please!

$11.90/mo, Facetory on CrateJoy

Sarcastic Pencil Set: Great gifts under $15

Sarcastic Pencil Set

Yes, there are grown-ups who still write by hand.

$9.99, Aurous Goods

Simplicity loose leaf tea of the month box: Gifts under $15

Tea of the Month Subscription

Because evidently there are people who prefer tea to coffee. (Kidding!)

$14.50-16/box, Cratejoy

Holiday gifts under $15: Touch screen stylus

Touch Screen Stylus Pens

For your favorite digital artist — or just someone with clumsy thumbs.

$7.99/set of 3, Amazon

Mini retro bluetooth speaker: Best gifts for under $15 for adults

Portable Retro Style Mini Bluetooth Speaker

For that Ella Fitzgerald Holiday album. (Sorry price went up a bit but worth it!)

$16, Amazon

The new Leslie Jones memoir on Kindle: Great gifts under $15

An E-Book for a Much Needed Laugh

A juicy celebrity memoir, a laugh-out loud e-book (this one from Leslie Jones), or an escapist novel all sound perfect this year. For more ideas, see our post on 10 of the hottest celebrity memoirs.

Prices vary, Amazon

Gifts under $15: Dash Mini Waffle Maker: snowflakes, dreidels, snowmen and more!

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

One of our favorite gifts under $15 — choose from stars, snowmen, dreidels, or for a little more, snowflakes,

$12.99 and up, Nordstrom

Spiffster tie of the month club: Gifts under $15

Spiffster Tie of the Month Club

Hey, it’s the Zoom era — gotta look good from the chest up! Get discounts for longer subscriptions.

$10.95 month, CrateJoy

black and white cookie ornament for christmukkah! at food52 | Best holiday gifts under $15

Black & White Cookie Ornament

The perfect gift for Christmukkah families

$14, Food52

Portable Bocce Set : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Portable Bocce Set

Never leave home without it.
(Apologies, prices have gone up since original publication — but not by much!)

$17.95, Amazon

Best gifts under $15 for adults: Fringe Studio journals

Fringe Studio Journal

Just add affordable, colorful gen pens for $7 if you want to make it even giftier.

$14, Anthropologie

Skull Candy Ink'd Earbuds : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Skull Candy Wired Earbuds

Perfect for plane trips. Besides,not everyone likes AirPods.

$9.99, Target

Tiled monogrammed mug from Anthropologie: Best gifts under $15

Tiled Monogrammed Mug

So it’s very clear whose lukewarm coffee it is. (Psst.. add a favorite tea bag or coffee beans)

$14, Anthropologie

Duran Duran Funko Pops Best gifts under $15 for adults

Duran Duran Funko Pop

For your favorite Gen-Xer.

$12.99 ea, Amazon

Mini photo studio Lightbox: Gifts under $15

Mini Photo Studio Lightbox

Who says tech gifts have to cost a fortune? Perfect for food bloggers, ‘grammers, and crafters.

$14.99 on sale, Amazon (plus additional discount!)

Pura Vida Bracelets make amazing gifts under $15!

Beaded Tassel Bracelets

Supporting causes like pet rescue, ocean conservation and women’s health. Wear them alone. Or stacked.

$7/ea or 3 for $18, Pura Vida

Gifts under $15: The Last Action Heroes ebook

The Last Action Heroes ebook 

Say it with us: DIE HARD IS A CHRISTMAS MOVIE.

$13.99 on Kindle ($21 for hardcover)

Best gifts under $15: Hot buttered rum cocktail mix

Hot Buttered Rum Mixer

Just add…well, you know.

$15 on sale, Mouth Foods

Achiou winter texting gloves: Best gifts under $15

Thermal Touchscreen Texting Gloves

No cold finger texts, tweets, snaps or ‘grams.

$8.95, Amazon

50+ cool gifts under $15 for men and women: Free printable to make your own book-lovers card set from Caravan Shoppe

Book Lover Note Card Set

Print your own, for a semi-handmade gift for your favorite reader! (Maybe pair with this banned book jigsaw puzzle?)

 

FREE, Caravan Shop

Stumptown Hair Bender Whole Bean Coffee : Gifts Under $15 for adults | Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Stumptown Hair Bender Whole Bean Coffee

Since a coffee IV isn’t really gifty.
(Price has gone up a dollar but still sooooo worth it)

$16, Stumptown Roasters

Personalized leather bound travel journal: Gifts under $15

Personalized Leather Travel Journal

For stories already written and yet to be told. (Price has gone up a bit since publishing, but still a terrific deal!)

 

$19.55, Cover Cafe

Cats Eye Glasses: Gifts under $15

Stylish Sunglasses

A whole assortment available on sale, in every shape and color.

$9 on sale, Nordstrom

Great gifts under $15: Wilson NBA Basketball

Wilson NBA Basketballs

Pair of NBA tickets, optional

$14.99 and up, Target

Poetry Mini Matchstick Bottle from Skeen : Gifts under $15

Poetry Mini Matchstick Bottle + Pack of Marshmallows

You supply the marshmallows.

$15, Skeem